NEONATAL JAUNDICE: AN OVERVIEW

Jaundice is the most common problem of newborns. Around 60% term and 80% preterm neonate develop neonatal jaundice during first week of life. Neonatal jaundice is defined as yellowish discoloration of skin and sclera. Icterus appear on face when serum bilirubin level exceeds 5mg/dl. This is called physiological jaundice. It is usually noticeable when the baby is 2 to 4 days old. Most of the time, it does not cause problems and goes away within 2 weeks. Symptoms may include excess sleepiness or poor feeding. Complications may include seizures, cerebral palsyor kernicterus. The condition affects over half of babies in the first week of life. Of babies that are born early about 80% are affected. Globally over 100,000 late-preterm and term babies die each year as a result of jaundice. The need for treatment depends on bilirubin levels, the age of the child, and the underlying cause.Treatments may include more frequent feeding, phototherapy, or exchange transfusions.In those who are born early more aggressive treatment tends to be required.Physiologic jaundice generally lasts less than seven days.